Grizzlies Take Top Spot in BANG Power Rankings – At Least Until Stephen Curry Returns

BANG NBA Power Rankings

1 (3) Grizzlies

RPI rank: 3

Hollinger odds to win the title: 7.5%

Comment: Memphis is 14-2 since the trade for Jeff Green. And while he was supposed to help the offense, it’s the Grizzlies’ defense that has improved since the trade. They went from a defensive rating of 102 before Green to 95.8 since his arrival.

2 (2) Warriors

RPI rank: 1(t)

Hollinger title odds: 30.9%

Comment: The Warriors demolished San Antonio, which was one of the few remaining obstacles. The loss to Indiana and the concern over Stephen Curry’s ankle is the only reason they’re No. 2.

3 (4) Cavaliers

RPI rank: 11

Hollinger title odds: 9.6%

Comment: Cleveland has won 16 of its last 18. During that span, the Cavaliers have a league-best plus/minus +12.5

4 (1) Hawks

RPI rank: 1(t)

Hollinger title odds: 10.8%

Comment: Atlanta’s split its last eight games, including tidy losses to New Orleans and Toronto. Feeling the pressure from the Cavaliers?

5 (7) Raptors

RPI rank: 5(t)

Hollinger title odds: 9.6%

Comment: Toronto has quietly moved to within 6.5 games of the first-place Hawks. And they destroyed Atlanta on its own court. Kyle Lowry and crew can smell the No. 1 seed.

6 (8) Clippers

RPI rank: 5(t)

Hollinger title odds: 13.2%

Comment: Even without Blake Griffin, the Clippers have run off four straight. DeAndre Jordan is better than Dwight Howard.

7 (6) Rockets

RPI rank: 4

Hollinger title odds: 3.7%.

Comment: Houston still clings to the No. 3 seed in the West despite missing Dwight Howard and playing mediocre ball.

8 (5) Spurs

RPI rank: 9

Hollinger title odds: 1.5%

Comment: Tony Parker’s averaging 14.3 points on 47.2 percent shooting with five assists — all on pace for his lowest since becoming an All-Star point guard.

9 (NR) Thunder

RPI rank: 12

Hollinger title odds: 2.2%

Comment: Russell Westbrook is carrying Oklahoma City with sheer will and anger. And now he’s got some depth to work with until Kevin Durant returns.

10 (10) Mavericks

RPI rank: 8

Hollinger title odds: 3.4%.

Comment: Mavericks showing some fight, winning 7 of 10. But Oklahoma City is coming and they won’t be able to hold them off.

Warriors’ direction: Stephen Curry insists his right ankle is fine, pointing out he is two years removed from the ankle troubles that jeopardized his career. As long as he is really fine, the Warriors will be, too. But Curry’s injury probably underscores the need for coach Steve Kerr to start thinking about resting guys.

Warriors’ upcoming schedule: at Washington on Tuesday, at Cleveland on Thursday, at Toronto on Friday

Notes: We’re listing two formula-based tallies for a guide, but the actual rankings are all our own. The RPI (relative percentage index) is computed based on winning percentage, schedule strength and opponents’ schedule strength. We’re listing the teams’ RPI ranking. Hollinger Playoff and Championship Odds were devised by now-Memphis executive John Hollinger when he worked at ESPN. Rankings and stats are through Thursday’s games.